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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4491
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 Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Trust me when I say your contributions to our community have been outstanding.
Whether you sell or not you have left some valuable information.
Thank you  |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| kingkarmann wrote: |
Trust me when I say your contributions to our community have been outstanding.
Whether you sell or not you have left some valuable information.
Thank you |
What a sweet sentiment King!
Thanks for your help and continued interest.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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Marcdeb
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Joined: May 22, 2019
Posts: 3245
Location: Vermont
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2025 10:17 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Back on this:
I believe this is the last system that we haven’t looked into and, as you might expect, it seems the PO left his mark here as well:
Link
The first axle bearing (driver’s side) seems to be functioning as expected while the passenger’s side bearing spins freely and seems to not be fully seated in the housing.
Thoughts? What’s a novice mechanic to do?
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2025 9:10 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Oh, I almost forgot— I promised entertainment for expertise:
Link
Ok, your turn.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 5:32 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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So I am wondering what caused that transmission fluid to leak on the driver’s side. I thought it was the boot but upon inspection it seems intact. The large o-ring, although I have yet to remove it, also does not seem to have any issues. The one thing that is odd though is that there seems to be a single paper shim. Perhaps it is two stuck together but I am suspicious that it was of an insufficient thickness as the axle simply flops about. I believe there is supposed to be some resistance?
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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John Moxon 
Samba Moderator
Joined: March 07, 2004
Posts: 14190
Location: Southampton U.K.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 8:53 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| Trylon wrote: |
| So I am wondering what caused that transmission fluid to leak on the driver’s side. I thought it was the boot but upon inspection it seems intact. The large o-ring, although I have yet to remove it, also does not seem to have any issues. The one thing that is odd though is that there seems to be a single paper shim. Perhaps it is two stuck together but I am suspicious that it was of an insufficient thickness as the axle simply flops about. I believe there is supposed to be some resistance? |
Have a looks at Pete's YouTube videos on Swing Axle Installation Parts 1 & 2
Link
Link
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Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2025 10:49 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Thanks John! As you might imagine, I have been voraciously consuming YouTube videos on the subject. I have yet to find these though.
As I circle around our current project (and now I have ChatGPT to consult, albeit cautiously), it is my current understanding that the axle shaft should be dry. It is wet along its entire length! Further there is pooling of gear oil in the housing. The conclusion to draw from this seems to be that the inner axle seal has failed. It also seems to be the case that this can occur if the paper shims are not of the proper thickness. Sigh… I have yet to measure but I have yet to see a single case where one such shim is sufficient. Seems as though someone thought is was simply a gasket and, well, why waste another?
So it looks like we have to dig deeper. Gotta find a puller for this bearing…
[edit] Well it seems that the axle is indeed supposed to be wet in a swing axle setup—
From Rod and Dave:
If you have a swing axle, the bearings are harder to get out as you need an "inside" puller to grab the inside of the outer bearing race (after removing the cover plate inside the brake assembly of course). The only other way to get this off is to remove the whole axle and axle-tube from the car and tap the gearbox end of the axle so it pushes the bearing out of the outer end (using the axle itself to push the bearing out). The bearings are not really tight in the tube - just nothing to grab on to to help remove them. Once again, when taking the brake assembly off the spring plate - make sure you mark them so you can re-align them on re-assembly. There is a "v" notch in the top of the brake hub assembly to help you with this - just make a mark on the spring plate next to it.
These bearings use oil from the gearbox which sloshes up the axle tubes and sits behind the bearing. Low oil in the gearbox can therefore cause dry wheel bearings (the gearbox must be filled with 80w90 or 85w90 Hypoid Gear Oil until it runs out the filler plug in the left side of the gearbox).
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 5:21 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Okay, passenger’s side opened:
I was surprised at the emptiness found haha!
Also, have finally discovered the number of the transmission:
Nose cone is next, then a parts list for sealing this all back up again.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4491
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 8:19 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Doing this kind of work is easier when you have a nice little 914 to clear your head after a day of wrenching.
Your in deep now.
That will look great after a good powerwash |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 8:40 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| kingkarmann wrote: |
Doing this kind of work is easier when you have a nice little 914 to clear your head after a day of wrenching.
Your in deep now.
That will look great after a good powerwash |
Ha! Don’t you know it!
Off to Lime Rock next Sunday:
FCP Euro Sunday Motoring Meet at Lime Rock Park - VW/Audi/Porsche/Mercedes
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fcp-euro-sunday-motor...7093833419
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4491
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 8:46 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| Trylon wrote: |
| kingkarmann wrote: |
Doing this kind of work is easier when you have a nice little 914 to clear your head after a day of wrenching.
Your in deep now.
That will look great after a good powerwash |
Ha! Don’t you know it!
Off to Lime Rock next Sunday:
FCP Euro Sunday Motoring Meet at Lime Rock Park - VW/Audi/Porsche/Mercedes
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fcp-euro-sunday-motor...7093833419 |
Pictures Please!! |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 9:20 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| kingkarmann wrote: |
| Trylon wrote: |
| kingkarmann wrote: |
Doing this kind of work is easier when you have a nice little 914 to clear your head after a day of wrenching.
Your in deep now.
That will look great after a good powerwash |
Ha! Don’t you know it!
Off to Lime Rock next Sunday:
FCP Euro Sunday Motoring Meet at Lime Rock Park - VW/Audi/Porsche/Mercedes
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fcp-euro-sunday-motor...7093833419 |
Pictures Please!! |
I fear most cars will be on the new side but will search out the interesting ones and create a Google album of them for your viewing pleasure King.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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| Back to top |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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Braukuche
Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2004
Posts: 11197
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 11:58 am Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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Wow, some gorgeous cars there!
Pretty hardcore of you delving into mysteries of the transaxle. Good luck with it.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!
Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2025 12:01 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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| Braukuche wrote: |
Wow, some gorgeous cars there!
Pretty hardcore of you delving into mysteries of the transaxle. Good luck with it. |
Yeah, it was a fun meet-up!
I am hoping to go no further in than simply replacing the o-rings, shims, and whatever the nose cone requires (gasket?). It just was all so wet it would have been remiss to not take the opportunity to at least attempt to slow down the leaks.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
|
| Back to top |
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Trylon
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2019
Posts: 4972
Location: Connecticut
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2025 12:17 pm Post subject: Re: '59 Karmann Ghia fever |
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And, lastly, the nose cone.
There were no washers for the attaching nuts.
_________________
1973 Porsche 914 2.0
1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
1973 Volkswagen Bus
1970 MGB-GT
1962 Oldsmobile Jetfire
More tomfoolery on
The Karmann Ghia Fever YouTube Channel! |
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